NEWS

THE HARD TRUTH

Around the world, the United Nations estimates that 263 million children and young people are out of school, and 330 million children are in school, but not learning.

Many traditional education systems are plagued by chronic teacher absenteeism, inadequate supplies, and lack of learning.

Existing systems are failing generations of children.

GLOBAL FUND FOR EMERGING SCHOLARS LAUNCHES SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN

Feb 1, 2018.

Individuals can transform the life of a child in Africa by giving them a chance to go to school

A new not-for-profit enterprise called the Global Fund for Emerging Scholars (GFES) has launched in the U.S. to provide sponsored school places for children living in poverty.

The launch comes as the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Financing Conference takes place in Dakar, Senegal calling for increased government investments into education to meet Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG4), universal access to quality education.

While governments are held to account, the Global Fund for Emerging Scholars believes that everyone can play a part in tackling the global education crisis whether they live in Wyoming or Winchester. The fund encourages individuals to pledge financial support for a child over the course of an academic year.

At the cost of $12 USD a month, a child’s future is the equivalent of monthly coffee stops in countries like the US and the UK. But now, instead of buying a coffee, people can provide a child with hope.

Globally, there are about 264 million children and young people not in school, plus 330 million in school not learning.

The enterprise will partner with education providers who identify children in the developing world who are unable to access school places. The inaugural partner for the Global Fund for Emerging Scholars is Bridge International Academies, a social enterprise that educates 100,000 children across Africa and India.

A spokesperson for Global Fund for Emerging Scholars said: “The Global Fund for Emerging Scholars wants to ensure that children are able to reach their potential through a sponsored school place. We want to live in a world where the socio-economic background of a child isn’t a barrier to them achieving their potential.

“We are launching the fund the same time as the Global Education Partnership Summit because we believe that every individual has a role to play in solving the Global Education Crisis; its isn’t only governments and world leaders who can get involved.”

Seven-year-old Precious Onwaeze from Igando in Nigeria is one of the many beneficiaries of school sponsorship. Her mum stays at home to look after her and her four siblings but since her dad lost his job, things have been difficult financially. Luckily her sponsorship means that she can continue to thrive at school, especially in maths and English.

In Kenya, Virginia is one of five siblings and her dad is a casual labourer while her mum stays at home; she is only in school because of a generous sponsor. Her teacher says, “she is disciplined, hardworking, creative and confident.” Virginia is scoring high marks at school and “be it in books or co-curricular, she shines the brightest.” This year, she took home the Best Narrator and Best Actress award at the Kisii County Drama Festival.

Due to failing or weak public education systems parents are choosing alternative options for their children. 1 in 4 African children (66 million) are expected to be privately educated by 2021.

A spokesperson for Bridge International Academies said, “We are delighted to enter into this new partnership with the Global Fund for Emerging Scholars. Together we will be helping to turn around the lives of individuals, giving them a far brighter future. We are inviting people all around the world to make a tangible change to a young person’s life, because when a child is given access to a quality school, they can break a generational cycle of poverty and look forward to a better life.”

It is estimated that there are over two million children attending low-cost private schools in Kenya alone. Increasingly parents are choosing this option for their child as the public school system is plagued by underperformance, teacher shortage, poor materials and often charges spurious fees.

Case studies and photographs of children who have benefitted from sponsorship.

About Global Fund for Emerging Scholars

The Global Fund for Emerging Scholars is a non-profit organization proud to partner with Bridge International Academies and other schools to ensure that students in sub-Saharan Africa and India have an opportunity to receive a life-changing education and fulfil their potential.

The fund will offer school places to primary school children in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.

Bridge believes every child has the right to high-quality education and works in partnership with governments, communities, parents and teachers and has empowered more than 300,000 children with a life-changing education in underserved communities across Africa and Asia.

Globally, there is an education crisis. Around 263 million children and young people are not in school and the number of primary schools aged children not in school is increasing. Bridge is committed to helping tackle this through a data-driven, evidence-based approach that delivers strong schools and a great education for all.

A BETTER OPTION

The Global Fund for Emerging Scholars is a non-profit organization proud to partner with Bridge International Academies and other schools to ensure that students in sub-Saharan Africa and India have an opportunity to receive a life-changing education and fulfill their potential.

To find out more about Bridge as our inaugural partner, visit the Bridge International Academies website​ here.​​